New breakthroughs in medicine predict the growth and rupture risk of aortic aneurysms

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is the 15th leading cause of death in the United States.

Ramakrishna Mukkamala of the University of Pittsburgh used his laboratory’s expertise in cardiovascular health technology to develop a convenient monitoring device that uses common devices such as smartphone cameras or smart scales to predict aortic aneurysms (AA) The risk of growth and rupture

"This situation is usually discovered by accident," Mukkamala said.

In this project, Mukkamala's team will study arterial waveforms to determine whether they can be used as non-imaging solutions for AA screening

Mukkamala said: "We have determined that there is a connection between waveform measurements and aneurysm size

If successful, the laboratory will develop a real-time device for AA screening and monitoring

Mukkamala added: “Ultimately, this simple step may be valuable for patients who don’t know they have a time bomb in their chest

Predict postpartum complications

Another related heart health trend is the rising maternal mortality rate in the United States, the worst among industrialized countries

Alisse Hauspurg, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, explained: “Among women with high blood pressure during pregnancy, some will experience fluid overload and heart failure symptoms after delivery, which may increase the risk of rehospitalization and serious complications after delivery.

Mukkamala is a co-investigator of the NIH Trailblazer Award, led by Hauspurg, which also uses arterial waveforms to predict fluid accumulation in patients with preeclampsia

Mukkamala said: "Home blood pressure monitors can improve the manageability of hypertension, but it cannot reduce the incidence of postpartum readmissions due to excessive fluids

Mukkamala and Hauspurg will develop a smartphone-based device that will facilitate the monitoring of excessive postpartum fluids